SEMO defeats SIU in War for the Wheel

SEMO triumphed in a tough rivalry matchup on Saturday, Sept. 21 in the War for the Wheel against the No. 7 ranked SIU Salukis.

Senior quarterback Paxton DeLaurent led the Redhawks' offense with an impressive performance, passing for 301 yards and four touchdowns. DeLaurent found a reliable target in senior wide receiver Dorian Anderson, who hauled in 8 receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns.

SEMO's defense set the tone early, quickly forcing a three-and-out to start the game, handing the ball over to the Redhawks' offense. The offense capitalized on the momentum, with quarterback Paxton DeLaurent connecting with Kyron Downing for a 12-yard touchdown. Kicker DC Pippin's extra point attempt was blocked and returned for a two-point conversion, resulting in a 6-2 score.

The Redhawks' defense held strong on the Salukis' second possession, forcing SIU to attempt a 37-yard field goal. Kicker Paul Geelen's attempt went wide right, keeping the score at 6-2.

The Redhawks kept up the pressure as DeLaurent launched a pass to standout receiver Dorian Anderson, who made an outstanding play, managing to tip the ball to himself for a highlight reel-worthy 19-yard touchdown, Anderson’s first of the game, while giving SEMO an early 13-2 lead with two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

“Man, I worked so hard to gain his trust and the results and stats speak for themselves, it’s just that quarterback and receiver one type of deal you have to have that type of relationship with each other,” senior wide receiver Dorian Anderson said on his relationship and trust he has with starting quarterback Paxton DeLaurent.

Despite the Redhawks early success, the Saluki's offense refused to stay quiet for long, marching down the field and scoring a touchdown with 8:25 left in the second quarter to cut the lead to 13-9. SIU continued to chip away at the Redhawks' advantage, nailing a 38-yard field goal to narrow the gap to just one point, with SEMO holding a slim 13-12 lead.

Before the expiration of the second half, the Redhawks would extend their lead, courtesy of SEMO kicker DC Pippin who nailed a 43-yard field goal, giving SEMO a 16-12 lead before halftime.

To open the second half, the SEMO offense stalled, and SIU forced them to punt.

SEMO bent but didn’t break, managing to hold SIU to just a field goal after a sack by Mali Walton making the score 16-15.

DeLaurent attempted to connect with a receiver deep, but SIU defensive back Desman Hearns made a spectacular play, intercepting the pass and shifting the momentum in SIU's favor.

Lead running back Willtrell Johnson powered in for a three-yard touchdown. Although they failed to convert the two-point attempt, SIU claimed their first lead of the night at 21-16.

True freshman Payton Brown broke off an impressive 52-yard gain on the first play of the drive. DeLaurent connected with Dorian Anderson for a 19-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 22-21. SEMO stayed on the field for the two-point conversion, DeLaurent evaded a couple of tacklers and delivered an outstanding throw to receiver Tristan Smith, successfully converting the play and putting SEMO ahead 24-21.

“I had a phrase of; one play execute now, I just kept telling myself that and this team believes in me so much and it is just amazing to have that on the sideline, when you throw a pick guys are like; so what you got the next play, you got the next drive you’re going to lead us down to feel that from your team just gives you the ability to make any play you can and it’s really just awesome, I love this team,” DeLaurent said on how he stayed composed.

It was all SEMO in the fourth as they dominated SIU to win 38-21. Mitchell Sellers and Payton Brown both added touchdowns.

“I played baseball my whole life, my dad’s a high school baseball coach so I know how to slide now it’s just realizing I’m not as athletic and young as I thought I was, I have to get down and stay healthy for this team,” DeLaurent said.

“We played zero man coverage across the board, I think that was a tipped ball if I remember right we ended up pressuring them got our hands up and got a stop, that’s the confidence coach Coon had in his players to execute,” Head Coach Matukewicz said on how his staff played the crucial fourth down late into the game.

Matukewicz highlighted how this team never quits.

“The way they respond is very competitive and mature, they’re not thinking of the touchdowns they’re thinking of the next play. If you saw our injury list you’d be shocked we were down to our fourth nickel defensive back. When you look at that it is very impressive work.”

With this victory, SEMO improves to 3-1 and is now ranked no. 13 in the country. They will return home next week to face the 0-4 Northwestern State Demons, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m.